NRA Annual Meeting This Week In Nashville

70,000 gun enthusiasts are descending on Nashville this week for the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting. Members won’t be hearing from one prominent Tennessean: Republican Gov. Bill Haslam. NRA spokeswoman Jennifer Baker commended the governor’s office for helping bring the convention to Tennessee. But she said the NRA was unable to accommodate a speaking role for Haslam at the Friday opening of the event that will feature several potential Republican presidential candidates. “It is a very lengthy program, and we’re trying to accommodate the 2016 candidates,” she said. “So unfortunately there wasn’t time to include everyone.” The speakers Friday include U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Also welcoming the NRA at the meeting is Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, who has announced he is not running for president.